Jerry Lewis to receive Hersholt Humanitarian Award

Dec 10, 2008 by Ian Evans

The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has voted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to actor, director, writer and producer Jerry Lewis. The award, an Oscar® statuette, will be presented to Lewis during the 81st Academy Awards ceremony on February 22, 2009.

The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award is given to an individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.

“Jerry is a legendary comedian who has not only brought laughter to millions around the world,” said AMPAS President Sid Ganis, “but has also helped thousands upon thousands by raising funds and awareness for those suffering from muscular dystrophy.”

Lewis began making local and national televised appeals on behalf of the newly founded Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in the early 1950s. National chairman since 1952, the MDA telethons have raised more than $2 billion for the cause.

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